“Spend your time investing in others” – unknown

What is the message that is trying to be conveyed here? Does the word “investing” trigger thoughts of money?

For some people the word “time” will be skipped over and the focus will be on investing. I think that we should look at the entire statement. I have selected four key words: spend/time/investing/others.

Spend – what are we spending?

Time – What are we doing with our time?

Investing – What are we investing in?

Others – What are we doing for others?

When we share our time with others, it produces great rewards. We are showing that we care; we are saying I love and value you as a person and I respect you.

Have you ever stopped to think about what it would be like to not have anyone who cares? It’s a scary thought but it happens.

In “And The Tree Cried Out” another great lesson that Alex learned was on compassion. On Pgs. 14 & 15, Mr. Tree speaks to Alex about people not seeing any useful purpose for others. Often people want to have their selfish needs fulfilled and when that has been accomplished, it’s time to move on. “Take for instance grandparents. Grandparents love their grandchildren dearly. They give them gifts, bake cookies, share in their successes as well as their disappointments only to be tossed to the side when they become too old and are of little to no value to them”

Mr. Tree continued his conversation with Alex to let him know that it is never the intent of others to be hurtful but it does happen. It doesn’t have to have to be grandparents; it could be other family members or friends.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we would make a special effort to spend some of our time investing in others? Someone had to invest their time in you and me. We need to invest time in children because they are our future. We need to invest time in the elderly because it can richly bless their lives as well our own. A simple smile, a pat on the back, a visit, a phone call; the list is endless.

How about calling someone who made a difference in your life? Kind words can mean so much. Try bringing a smile to someone outside of your circle today.